Kʼakʼupakal facts for kids

Kʼakʼupakal was an important leader or official in the ancient Maya civilization. He lived in the city of Chichen Itza around the late 800s AD. His name is found more often than any other person's name in the old writings (called inscriptions) at Chichen Itza. You can also see his name on stone carvings at other Maya sites like Uxmal in the Yucatán Peninsula.

Kʼakʼupakal: A Maya Leader

Kʼakʼupakal, sometimes called Kʼakʼupakal Kʼawiil, was a powerful figure. He was either a ruler or a very important official. He was active between about 869 and 890 AD. This was a time when the Maya civilization was still thriving in many areas.

What Was His Role?

Being a "ruler" meant he was in charge of the city. He would have made important decisions. If he was a "high-ranking officeholder," he would have had a very important job. This job would have involved helping to run the city.

Chichen Itza: An Ancient City

Kʼakʼupakal lived in Chichen Itza. This was a very famous and powerful city. It was a major center for the Maya people. Many impressive buildings and temples were built there. People came from far away to trade and worship in Chichen Itza.

His Name in History

We know about Kʼakʼupakal because his name appears often. It is written in the ancient Maya script. These writings are carved into stone monuments. They are also found on other objects. This shows he was a very important person. His name is spelled in a few ways. These include Kʼahkʼupakal, Kʼakʼ Upakal, or Kʼakʼ-u-pakal.

Beyond Chichen Itza

Kʼakʼupakal's name wasn't just found in Chichen Itza. It also appears at other Maya sites. One example is Uxmal. This suggests he might have had influence. Or he might have had connections with other cities in the Yucatán Peninsula.